SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness
directive (AD), applicable to Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model
AS 365 N3 and EC 155B helicopters, that requires replacing each
Fenestron pitch change control rod (control rod) with an improved
reinforced steel airworthy control rod. This amendment is prompted
by a failure of a control rod on a prototype helicopter and by the
manufacturer making available a newly-designed reinforced steel
control rod. The actions specified by this AD are intended to
prevent failure of the control rod, loss of control of the
tailrotor, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.